Rails: Share enum declaration values between models

Question

I'm applying enum on the following attribute: transparency

The same attribute (with enum) is used in two different models: Category and Post

Is it possible to share the enum values between models, to avoid code duplication:

enum transparency: %w(anonymous private public)

score 26 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 04 '15 at 20:48

26

You can use a concern.

module HasTransparency
  extend ActiveSupport::Concern
  included do
    enum transparency: %w(anonymous private public)
  end
end

Then include it in your models:

class Category < ActiveRecord::Base
  include HasTransparency

  ....
end

answered Apr 04 '15 at 20:48

lunr

Almost correct, with a small mistake! Your example will return an array of strings, not array of symbols. %w must be changed to %i. – msdundar Mar 08 '18 at 13:43
1

This solution requires both enums to be attached to fields of the same name. – Toby 1 Kenobi Jun 13 '19 at 12:15

score 12 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 27 '17 at 19:01

12

An alternative to "the right way" of using a concern or module, you can just make reference to another class enum. It worked perfectly for me:

enum same_values_than_other: SomeOtherClass.my_awesome_enum

answered Jun 27 '17 at 19:01

MegaTux

You should use the plural form of the field name in `SomeOtherClass` – Toby 1 Kenobi Jun 13 '19 at 12:17
This seems like the way to go if you need the fields to have different names. – David Gay Jul 04 '20 at 18:53

2 Answers2